Photographing wildlife in low-light conditions can challenge even the most skilled shooter. Knowing how to manage these tough situations can dramatically improve your wildlife images.
Coming to you from Epsen Helland, this practical video explores how to effectively photograph black grouse under very dim conditions using the OM System, particularly pushing high ISO levels without sacrificing too much image quality. Helland highlights various techniques for photographing wildlife at dawn, emphasizing methods like panning with slow shutter speeds, capturing motion blur, and composing portraits in challenging lighting. Helland also gives insights into why intentionally pushing ISO higher, even at the expense of additional noise, can preserve important image detail better than underexposing your shots. These tips are especially valuable if you struggle with noise or unclear images when you're working before sunrise or in similarly dark environments.
Helland walks you through different scenarios, including front-lit shots, action shots, and creative approaches like silhouette photography. He describes how to balance ISO, shutter speed, and focusing methods to adapt quickly as the sun rises. For example, Helland shares techniques for capturing silhouettes against vibrant pre-dawn skies, explaining how careful exposure adjustments and focus methods ensure you don't miss fleeting opportunities. He emphasizes the practicality of choosing lenses wisely, noting that zooming out slightly can often improve your camera's autofocus speed when lighting is low. Such tips aren't just technical—they can make the difference between capturing a striking image or missing the shot entirely.
Beyond camera techniques, Helland stresses the importance of minimizing disturbance to wildlife, especially critical when photographing species like black grouse, which are sensitive and protected. He details his process, from pre-dawn setups using specialized hides to ensuring minimal movement and noise. These ethical considerations enhance the depth of his advice, showing you that great wildlife photography respects the subjects as much as it focuses on technical perfection.
Later in the video, Helland demonstrates his post-processing workflow using DxO PureRAW 5, a tool specifically designed for handling high-ISO images. He illustrates exactly how this software helps him retain crucial image detail while effectively reducing noise—even at ISO settings as extreme as 12,800 and 40,000. Helland’s insights into using advanced noise reduction software make this segment valuable if you're looking to salvage or enhance your own high ISO images without overly compromising detail. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Helland.
